Air conditioner

ABSTRACT

An indoor unit (Z 1 ) has a casing ( 1 ) which is embedded or suspended in/from a ceiling ( 50 ), and an indoor panel ( 2 ) which is provided on a lower side of the casing ( 1 ) and installed in an indoor exposed state. The indoor panel ( 2 ) is provided with an air inlet ( 3 ), a plurality of air outlets ( 4 ) which surround the air inlet ( 3 ) in a rectangular shape and have a rectangular shape. An infrared sensor ( 15 ) is provided on an exposed portion of the indoor panel ( 2 ). The indoor unit (Z 1 ) further has an airflow changing unit ( 52 ) for changing characteristics of airflow blown out from each of the air outlets ( 4 ), and a control unit ( 53 ) for controlling the airflow changing unit ( 52 ) based on output information of the infrared sensor ( 15 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner installed ina state that it is embedded in a ceiling or it is suspended from theceiling.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Conventionally, in the case where air is conditioned in abuilding having a comparatively wide air conditioning space such as astore, a restaurant or an office, a ceiling-embedded type or a ceilingsuspended type indoor unit is generally installed on a ceiling side ofthe air conditioning space.

[0003] However, in the case where air is conditioned in the wide airconditioning space by the ceiling-embedded type or ceiling-suspendedtype indoor unit, there arises the following problem. Namely, an airflowis conventionally blown uniformly from air outlets of the indoor unitwithout considering air conditioning conditions such as a heat loaddistribution or a people distribution. For this reason, an indoortemperature has irregularity and an area with inferior comfortabilitywhere people feel a sense of draft occasionally exists. Moreover, sinceair is conditioned similarly in an area where people exist and in anarea where people do not exist, energy saving characteristics areoccasionally deteriorated. Further, even though the heat loaddistribution changes with time due to conditions such as seasons, timeand a number of people in the room, there are many cases that anoperation is always performed under a single condition. As a result, theenergy-saving characteristics are deteriorated by useless airconditioning.

[0004] In order to improve such conventional problems, there suggests atechnique for detecting, for example, the indoor heat load distribution,people distribution and the like and adjusting characteristics of ablowout airflow from air outlets of an indoor unit based on the detectedinformation. For example, there suggests a technique for suitablycontrolling a blowout air capacity, a blowout temperature, a blowoutspeed, a blowout direction and the like so as to always condition aircomfortably and with energy saving characteristics (for example, seeJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 5-203244 (1993) and 5-306829(1993)). Moreover, as detecting means of a heat load distribution or thelike, a technique using an infrared sensor (for example, Japanese PatentApplication Publication No. 5-20659 (1993) or the like is suggested.

[0005] However, the above conventional techniques are considered tofulfill a required function academically and produce a predeterminedeffect, but their technical contents are not concrete nor realistic, andthus actually they have not been yet put into a practical use. For thisreason, these techniques are strongly demanded to be established andactualized early.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Therefore, in order to reconcile comfortability with energysaving characteristics, an object of the present invention is to suggestan air conditioner having a detecting unit of a heat load or the like,an airflow changing unit for changing characteristics of blowout airflowand a control unit of the airflow changing unit in a concrete andrealistic form and facilitate its practical use.

[0007] A first air conditioner includes: a casing embedded or suspendedin/from a ceiling; an indoor panel provided on a lower side of thecasing, the indoor panel being provided with an air inlet and aplurality of air outlets, the air outlets surrounding a rectangularperiphery of the air inlet and each having a rectangular shape, theindoor panel being installed in a state of being exposed to a room; aninfrared sensor provided on an exposed portion of the indoor panel; anairflow changing unit for changing characteristics of an airflow blownout from each of the air outlets; and a control unit for controlling theairflow changing unit based on output information from infrared sensor.

[0008] In a second air conditioner according to the first airconditioner, the infrared sensor is provided between the air outlets.

[0009] In a third air conditioner according to the first airconditioner, the infrared sensor is provided on a periphery edge of theair outlet.

[0010] A fourth air conditioner according to the first air conditionerincludes a scanning mechanism for scanning the infrared sensor.

[0011] In a fifth air conditioner according to the first airconditioner, a plurality of the infrared sensors are providedcorrespondingly to the air outlets, the infrared sensors arenon-scanning type infrared sensors for detecting their respectiveconstant ranges as an object to be detected.

[0012] In a sixth air conditioner according to the first airconditioner, a plurality of temperature sensors or temperature/humiditysensors are provided in vicinities of the air outlets on the indoorpanel or in an inside portion of the air inlet in the casing.

[0013] A seventh air conditioner according to the sixth air conditionerincludes: a scanning mechanism for scanning the infrared sensor; ajudging unit for calculating a heat load based on output informationfrom the temperature sensors or temperature/humidity sensors and judgingwhether the heat load is not less than a predetermined load for each ofthe temperature sensors or temperature/humidity sensors; and a stoppingunit for, when the judgment is made that the heat load is not less thanthe predetermined load in a not less than predetermined proportion ofthe temperature sensors or temperature/humidity sensors, stopping anoperation of the scanning mechanism.

[0014] An eighth air conditioner according to the sixth air conditionerincludes a correcting unit for anticipating a temperature of an objectin a blowout direction of an airflow from the air outlets based on theoutput information from the temperature sensors or temperature/humiditysensors and correcting a detected temperature of the infrared sensorbased on the anticipated object temperature.

[0015] In a ninth air conditioner according to the sixth airconditioner, the infrared sensor detects a position of a person in aroom and the temperature sensors or temperature/humidity sensors detecta temperature of a sucked air from the room.

[0016] In a tenth air conditioner according to the first airconditioner, the airflow changing unit includes: an air capacitydistributing mechanism for changing a distributing ratio of a blowoutair capacity between the air outlets; first flaps for changing a blowoutdirection of an airflow in a direction of a long side of each airoutlet; a second flap for changing a blowout direction of an airflow ina direction of a short side of each air outlet; and driving mechanismsfor driving said air capacity distributing mechanism, the first flapsand the second flap independently at each air outlet.

[0017] In an eleventh air conditioner according to the first airconditioner, the airflow changing unit includes: an air capacitydistributing mechanism for changing a distributing ratio of a blowoutair capacity between the air outlets; first flaps for changing a blowoutdirection of an airflow in a direction of a long side of each airoutlet; a second flap for changing a blowout direction of an airflow ina direction of a short side of each air outlet; driving mechanisms fordriving the air capacity distributing mechanism and the first flapsindependently at each air outlet; and a driving mechanism for drivingthe second flaps of the air outlets in an interlocking manner.

[0018] In a twelfth air conditioner according to the first airconditioner, a plurality of blowout passages continued to each airoutlet are provided in the casing, the airflow changing unit includes:an air capacity distributing mechanism provided on each blowout passagefor changing a distributing ratio of a blowout air capacity between theair outlets; first flaps provided on each blowout passage for changing ablowout direction of an airflow in a direction of a long side of eachair outlet; a driving mechanism provided on one end of the direction ofthe long side of each air outlet in each blowout passage, the drivingmechanism for driving each air capacity distributing mechanism; and adriving mechanism for driving each first flap, which is provided on theother end of the direction of the long side of each air outlet in theblowout passage.

[0019] In a thirteenth air conditioner according to the first airconditioner, a plurality of blowout passages continued to each airoutlet are provided in the casing, the airflow changing unit is providedin each blowout passage, and has an air capacity distributing mechanismfor increasing/decreasing an opening area of each blowout passage so asto change a distributing ratio of a blowout air capacity between the airoutlets, and the air capacity distributing mechanism includes: a pair ofshutters provided on both sides of a direction of a short side of eachair outlet in each blowout passage, the shutters being freely tiltedsimultaneously with a movement to an upper stream side of an airflowdirection of the blowout passage; and a driving mechanism for moving theshutters to both ends of the blowout passage at the time of an operationfor enlarging the opening area of the blowout passage, and moving theshutters to the upper stream side of the blowout passage at the time ofan operation for reducing the opening area of the blowout passage.

[0020] Therefore, according to the first air conditioner, since theinfrared sensor is arranged on the portion of the indoor panel exposedto the room, a visual field of the infrared sensor is securedsufficiently and the object temperature can be detected with highaccuracy. As a result, the accuracy in the control of the airflowchanging unit based on the detected information is improved, and thuscomfortability and energy-saving characteristics of air conditioning areimproved. Moreover, in a maintenance work of the infrared sensor,attachment/detachment of a suction grill is not required unlike the casefor example, the infrared sensor is arranged inside a suction grill(namely, a portion which is not exposed to the room). Therefore, a checkand the attachment/detachment of the infrared sensor can be carried outeasily, thereby realizing high maintenance characteristics.

[0021] According to the second air conditioner, the following effect canbe further obtained. Namely, in this air conditioner, since the infraredsensor is arranged between the air outlets on the indoor panel, theinfrared sensor is not exposed directly to a suction airflow from theair inlet or a blowout airflow from the air outlets. As a result,problems, such as a problem which arises when the infrared sensor isarranged at the air inlet side, namely, a problem that dirt or the likein the suction airflow adheres to the infrared sensor and a detectingability of the infrared sensor is inhibited, a problem which arises whenthe infrared sensor is arranged at the air outlet, namely, a problemthat the infrared sensor is exposed to a cool blown airflow at the timeof a cooling operation so that moisture is generated on its surface andthus the detecting ability is inhibited, are avoided. Therefore, thehigh-level detecting ability is maintained for a long time.

[0022] According to the third air conditioner, the following effect canbe further obtained. Namely, in this air conditioner, since the infraredsensor is arranged on the peripheral edge of the air outlet on theindoor panel, it can detect a temperature of an object existing in ablowout direction of the airflow with high accuracy. When, for example,the infrared sensor is arranged, the infrared sensor is arranged at eachair outlet, and the detecting object directions of the infrared sensorsmay correspond to the blowout direction of the air outlets at which theinfrared sensors are provided. As a result, a corresponding relationshipbetween the detected information of the infrared sensors and indoordetecting object area becomes clear, thereby facilitating control of theairflow changing unit based on the detected information of the infraredsensors.

[0023] According to the fourth air conditioner, the following effect canbe further obtained. Namely, in this air conditioner, since the scanningmechanism for scanning the infrared sensor is provided, for example, ascanning range of the scanning sensor can be enlarged by driving controlof the scanning mechanism. For this reason, when the scanning objectrange is enlarged, a number of the infrared sensors to be installed canbe reduced, and a number of the infrared sensors can be one. As aresult, a number of the infrared sensors to be installed are reduced,thereby accelerating low cost of the air conditioner, and a process onthe detected information of the infrared sensor becomes easy and alsoits control can be simplified.

[0024] In addition, indoor temperature distribution and peopledistribution can be detected accurately by controlling the infraredsensor using the scanning mechanism, so that further improvement in thecomfortability and energy-saving characteristics of air conditioning canbe anticipated.

[0025] According to the fifth air conditioner, the following effect canbe further obtained. Namely, in this air conditioner, a plurality ofinfrared sensors are provided correspondingly to the air outlets.Therefore, the temperature distribution and people distribution in theentire area of the room can be always detected simultaneously by usingthe plural infrared sensors. As a result, the airflow changing unit canbe controlled with higher accuracy based on the detected information, sothat the improvement in the comfortability and energy-savingcharacteristics of air conditioning can be anticipated.

[0026] According to the sixth air conditioner, the following effect canbe further obtained.

[0027] Namely, in this air conditioner, since the temperature sensor ortemperature/humidity sensor is arranged at the air inlet correspondinglyto each air outlet, a suction airflow temperature by means of thetemperature sensor or the temperature/humidity sensor, namely, an indoorheat load is detected directly, and the indoor heat load as well as thedetected information of the infrared sensor can be reflected to thecontrol of the airflow hanging unit. In comparison with the case wherethe airflow changing unit is controlled based only on the detectedinformation of the infrared sensor, the airflow changing unit can becontrolled with higher accuracy.

[0028] According to the seventh air conditioner, the following effectcan be further obtained. Namely, in this air conditioner, when ajudgment is made that the heat load is large in a not less thanpredetermined proportion of detecting directions of the temperaturesensors or temperature/humidity sensors, namely, when the judgment ismade that the heat load is high in nearly entire area of the room andnecessity of detecting the temperature distribution or the like by meansof the infrared sensor is less, the operation of the scanning mechanismis stopped. For this reason, during the operation of the airconditioner, wear of a driving section of the scanning mechanism isfurther suppressed due to a reduction in the operating time incomparison with the case where the scanning mechanism is operatedcontinuously, thereby improving its durability. Therefore, this cancontribute to lowering of operating cost of the air conditioner.

[0029] According to the eighth air conditioner, the following effect canbe further obtained. Namely, in this air conditioner, an average objecttemperature in the detecting direction of the temperature sensors ortemperature/humidity sensors is anticipated from the detectedinformation of the temperature sensors or temperature/humidity sensors,and the detected temperature of the infrared sensor is corrected basedon the object temperature. For example, in the case where the objecttemperature detected by the infrared sensor has a transnormal value withrespect to the average object temperature anticipated from the detectedinformation of the temperature sensors or the temperature/humiditysensors (for example, not a radiation heat from an indoor wall surface,a floor surface or a human body as an originally determined detectingobject but a radiation heat from a metal surface as a low radiationportion or a heater, a window glass surface or the like as a highradiation portion is detected), this detected temperature is correctedby the average object temperature, so that a detecting error due to adifference of the detecting object in the infrared sensor from anoriginally determined object is solved as much as possible, and theaccuracy in the control of the airflow changing unit can be secured. Asa result, the comfortability and energy-saving characteristics of airconditioning are further improved.

[0030] According to the ninth air conditioner, the following effect canbe further obtained. Namely, in this air conditioner, since the infraredsensor detects a position of a person in the room and the temperaturesensor or the temperature/humidity sensor detects a suction airtemperature from the room, the infrared sensor may detect only theposition of a person. The process on the detected information of theinfrared sensor becomes easier in comparison with the case, for example,where the infrared sensor detects both the positions of a person and theindoor temperature distribution. For this reason, a control system issimplified. Moreover, as for the detection of the indoor temperaturedistribution, required accuracy can be secured by the temperature sensoror temperature/humidity sensor which is more inexpensive than theinfrared sensor. As a multiplier effect, the securing of the accuracy inthe detected information is reconciled with the lowering of the cost.

[0031] According to the tenth air conditioner, the following effect canbe further obtained. Namely, in this air conditioner, characteristics ofthe blowout airflow can be finely controlled at each air outlet, and thecomfortability and the energy saving characteristics of air conditioningcan be further improved.

[0032] According to the eleventh air conditioner, the following effectcan be further obtained. Namely, in this air conditioner, since thecharacteristics of the blowout airflow can be finely controlled at eachair outlet by the air capacity distributing mechanism and the firstflaps, the comfortability and the energy saving characteristics of airconditioning can be improved in comparison with a structure that, forexample, the air capacity distributing mechanism and the first flaps areoperated in an interlocking manner between the air outlets. Moreover,since the second flaps provided at the air outlets, respectively, can bedriven by a single driving source, the cost can be lowered and thestructure can be simplified due to a reduction in a number of thedriving sources to be installed in comparison with a case where, forexample, the second flaps are driven by individual driving sources.Therefore, the improvement in the comfortability and the energy savingcharacteristics of air conditioning is reconciled with the accelerationof low cost.

[0033] According to the twelfth air conditioner, the following effectcan be further obtained. Namely, in this air conditioner, the aircapacity distributing mechanism, the first flaps and their drivingmechanisms can be arranged compactly on the blowout passage where aspace is restricted. As a result, the indoor panel can be thinned andminiaturized.

[0034] According to the thirteenth air conditioner, the following effectcan be further obtained. Namely, in this air conditioner, at the time ofthe operation for enlarging the opening area of the blowout passage,namely, at the time of increasing the blowout air capacity, the shuttersare positioned on portions of the blowout passage where a flow rate isslow, thereby reducing a ventilating resistance due to the shutters andsurely securing the air capacity. Moreover, a blast sound is reduced.Meanwhile, at the time of the operation for reducing the opening area ofthe blowout passage, namely, at the time of reducing the blowout aircapacity, the shutters are positioned on the upper stream side of theblowout passage, thereby suppressing disorder of the airflow at the airoutlet portion positioned on a lower stream end of the blowout passageas much as possible. Therefore, moisture in a vicinity of the air outletcan be prevented, and dirt on the ceiling surface due to bump ofdisordered blowout airflow is prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit from an indoor sideaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 2 is a main section enlarged sectional view of the indoorunit shown in FIG. 1.

[0037]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing a first structure exampleof an air capacity distributing mechanism provided to a air outlet ofthe indoor unit.

[0038]FIG. 4 is a perspective view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3.

[0039]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view showing a second structureexample of the air capacity distributing mechanism provided to the airoutlet of the indoor unit.

[0040]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a third structure exampleof the air capacity distributing mechanism provided to the air outlet ofthe indoor unit.

[0041]FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a first driving system of asecond flap provided to the air outlet of the indoor unit.

[0042]FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a second driving system of thesecond flap provided to the air outlet of the indoor unit.

[0043]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the indoor unit from the indoorside according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0044]FIG. 10 is a main section enlarged sectional view of the indoorunit shown in FIG. 9.

[0045]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the indoor unit from the indoorside according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0046]FIG. 12 is a main section enlarged sectional view of the indoorunit shown in FIG. 11.

[0047]FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a correcting method of a radiationtemperature.

[0048]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the indoor unit from the indoorside according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0049]FIG. 15 is a main section enlarged sectional view of the indoorunit shown in FIG. 14.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0050] There will be explained below embodiments of the presentinvention with reference to the drawings.

[0051] Embodiment 1

[0052]FIGS. 1 and 2 show an indoor unit Z₁ of a separate type airconditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.The indoor unit Z₁ is a ceiling embedding type indoor unit which isembedded into a ceiling 50 in a room. The indoor unit Z₁ is providedwith a rectangular box shaped casing 1 embedded into an upper side ofthe ceiling 50, and a rectangular flat plate type indoor panel 2 mountedfrom an indoor side to a lower end opening of the casing 1. Arectangular opening type air inlet 3 is provided on a center portion ofthe indoor panel 2, four air outlets 4, 4, . . . are provided outsidethe air inlet 3 so as to surround the air inlet 3 in a rectangularshape. The air outlets 4 are rectangular openings and extendapproximately parallel with a peripheral edge of the indoor panel 2.

[0053] In addition, a centrifugal fan 6 is arranged concentrically witha center line of the air inlet 3 in the casing 1, and a heat exchanger 5is arranged on an outer periphery of the fan 6 so as to surround the fan6. Further, a bellmouth 7 is arranged on an air inlet side of the fan 6,and a filter 9 and a suction grill 8 are mounted to the air inlet 3.

[0054] Meanwhile, a blowout passage 14 having a rectangular sectionwhich extends upward continuously with the air outlet 4 is provided onan upper stream side of the air outlet 4 in an airflow direction. An aircapacity distributing mechanism 10, first flaps 12 and a second flap 13,mentioned later, are arranged in the blowout passage 14. Here, the aircapacity distributing mechanism 10, the first flaps 12 and the secondflap 13 compose “an airflow changing unit 52” of the present invention.

[0055] Further, an infrared sensor 15 as a temperature detecting unit 51is arranged at one comer portion of a surface of the indoor panel 2(namely, indoor exposed portion). Moreover, a control section 18(corresponding to “a control unit 53” of the present invention), whichcontrols the air capacity distributing mechanism 10, the first flaps 12,the second flap 13 and the like upon reception of the detectedinformation from the infrared sensor 15, is arranged in a vicinity ofthe blowout passage 14 in the casing 1.

[0056] Hereinafter, structures and the like of the respective componentsare explained concretely.

[0057] The air capacity distributing mechanism 10 adjusts an aircapacity distributing ratio between the air outlets 4, 4, . . . byincreasing or decreasing an air capacity from each of the air outlet 4.As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the air capacity distributing mechanism10 is provide with a pair of distributing shutters 11, 11 arranged onboth sides of a long side of the blowout passage 14 close to walls,respectively. A concrete structure of the distributing shutters 11, 11are as shown in FIG. 3. Namely, when one ends of the distributingshutters 11, 11 are engaged with guide grooves 25 which extend in anup-down direction along side walls of the blowout passage 14,respectively, the shutters 11, 11 freely move in the up-down directionalong the guide grooves 25. Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, theother ends of the distributing shutters 11, 11 are coupled with ends ofa pair of racks 27, 27, respectively. The racks 27, 27 are geared to agear 28 which is driven to be rotated by a motor 29 (corresponding to “adriving mechanism” of the present invention”) from both sides of itsradial direction.

[0058] Therefore, when the gear 28 is selectively rotated in bothregular and reverse directions by the motor 29, the paired racks 27, 27geared to the gear 28 move in opposite directions to each other.According to the movement of the racks 27, 27 the distributing shutters11, 11 move in the up-down direction while their tilting angles arebeing changed. When an extending amount of the distributing shutter 11to a center of the blowout passage 14 increases or decreases, an openingarea of the blowout passage 14 increases or decreases.

[0059] Namely, in the air capacity distributing mechanism 10, in a statethat the opening area of the blowout passage 14 is enlarged (at the timeof setting a large air capacity), the distributing shutters 11, 11 arehoused in the blowout passage 14 closer to the side walls so as to be ina nearly upstanding posture, and thus the extending amount to the centerof the blowout passage 14 becomes small. Meanwhile, in a state that theopening area of the blowout passage 14 is reduced (at the time ofsetting a small air capacity), the distributing shutters 11,11 are in anearly horizontal posture, and thus the extending amount to the centerof the blowout passage 14 becomes large. As a result, entirely thedistributing shutters 11, 11 are positioned to be closer to the upperstream of the blowout passage 14.

[0060] Here, the air capacity distributing mechanism 10 is providedcorrespondingly to the air outlets 4, 4, . . . and the air capacitydistributing mechanisms 10, 10, . . . are controlled individually andindependently. Moreover, the air capacity distributing mechanism 10 iscontrolled by the control section 18 arranged in the vicinity of theblowout passage 14 based on the detected information from the infraredsensor 15.

[0061] As explained above, the air capacity distributing mechanism 10has the following structural and functional characteristics. The aircapacity distributing mechanism 10 is provided with the distributingshutters 11, 11 which move in a passage direction of the blowout passage14 and simultaneously tilt about one ends positioned on the blowoutpassage 14 close to the side wall, and when the opening area isenlarged, the distributing shutters 11, 11 are positioned on the blowoutpassage 14 close to the side walls so as to largely open a center of thepassage with high flow rate (in other words, the distributing shutters11, 11 are retreated towards the side wall of the blowout passage 14).Meanwhile, when the opening area is reduced, the distributing shutters11, 11 are positioned on the upper stream side of the blowout passage14. As a result, a peculiar function is produced as mentioned later.Namely, the air capacity distributing mechanism 10 does not need to belimited to the above structure of the embodiment as long as it has theabove structural and functional characteristics. Therefore, beside theabove embodiment, for example, a structure shown in FIG. 5, a structureshown in FIG. 6 or the like can be suitably adopted. These structureswill be explained simply below.

[0062] The air capacity distributing mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 5 isstructured so that the paired distributing shutters 11, 11 freelyadvance or retreat in a direction of their short sides in the upperstream portion of the blowout passage 14. Also in this air capacitydistributing mechanism 10, the structure that the distributing shutters11, 11 are driven by the motor 29 via the racks 27 and the gear 28geared to the racks 27 is similar to the structure of the air capacitydistributing mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 3. Also in the air capacitydistributing mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 5, when the opening area isenlarged, the distributing shutters 11, 11 are positioned in the blowoutpassage 14 closer to the side walls so as to largely open the center ofthe passage with high flow rate, whereas when the opening area isreduced, the distributing shutters 11, 11 are positioned on the upperstream side of the blowout passage 14.

[0063] The air capacity distributing mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 6 hasone distributing shutter 11, and one end of the distributing shutter 11is pivotally supported to the upper stream portion of the blowoutpassage 14 closer to the one side wall in a freely tilting manner, andthe distributing shutter 11 is driven to be rotated by a motor 35 viagears 33 and 34 which are geared to each other. The air capacitydistributing mechanism 10 can selectively adopt an opening area enlargedposture shown by a solid line in FIG. 6 and an opening area reducedposture shown by a chain line. Also in the air capacity distributingmechanism 10 shown in FIG. 6, when the opening area is enlarged, thedistributing shutter 11 is positioned in the blowout passage 14 closerto the side wall so as to largely open the center of the passage withhigh flow rate, whereas when the opening area is reduced, thedistributing shutter 11 is positioned on the upper stream side of theblowout passage 14.

[0064] The first flap 12 changes to adjust a blowout direction of anairflow blown out from the air outlet 4 via the blowout passage 14 intoa room in a lateral direction (in other words, a direction of a longside of the air outlet 4). As shown in FIG. 2, the first flap 12 iscomposed of a plate body having an outer shape along a passage sectionshape from the blowout passage 14 to the air outlet 4, and is supportedto the side wall of the long side of the blowout passage 14 by asupporting shaft 23 in a freely oscillating manner. As shown in FIG. 4,a plurality of the first flaps 12 are arranged in the blowout passage 14in the direction of its long side with predetermined gaps. The firstflaps 12 are connected with a motor 30 (corresponding to “the drivingmechanism” of the present invention) via a link bar 24 for coupling thefirst flaps 12, and are driven by the motor 30 in the oscillatingdirection so that their tilt angles are changed. The blowout directionof the blowout airflow from the air outlet 4 in the lateral direction ischanged to be adjusted by changing the tilt angles. Moreover, the firstflaps 12, 12, . . . are arranged at the air outlets 4, but their controlis made individually and independently by the control section 18.

[0065] Here, the first flaps 12, 12, . . . are arranged in the blowoutpassage 14, but the motor 30 is arranged on an end of the short side ofthe blowout passage 14 so that the area of the blowout passage 14 is notnarrowed by the arrangement of the motor 30.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 2, the second flap 13 is composed of a bandplate material having a curved section shape. The second flap 13 isarranged on a portion adjacent to the air outlet 4 on an lower streamside of the blowout passage 14. When the second flap 13 tilts about itsupper edge side, the blowout direction of the blowout airflow in alengthwise direction (in other words, the direction of the short side ofthe air outlet 4) is changed to be adjusted.

[0067] The second flap 13 is arranged at each of the air outlets 4, 4, .. . but an interlocking system and an individual system are consideredas a driving system of the second flaps 13, 13, . . . . As shown in FIG.7, the interlocking system is such that the second flaps 13, 13, . . .provided correspondingly to the air outlets 4, 4, . . . are connectedwith each other by interlocking members 32, 32, . . . so as to be drivenby a single motor 31.

[0068] On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 8, the individual system issuch that the second flaps 13, 13, . . . provided correspondingly to theair outlets 4, 4, . . . are driven individually by special motors 31,respectively. In the former interlocking system of these systems, sincethe second flaps 13, 13, . . . can be driven by the single motor 31,this system has an advantage that a structure of a driving section issimple and cost can be lowered. On the contrary, the latter individualsystem has an advantage that the blowout directions of the blowoutairflow in the longitudinal direction can be adjusted individually andfinely at the air outlets 4, 4, . . . .

[0069] The infrared sensor 15 detects a temperature of a detectingobject (object temperature) based on a radiated heat from the objectsuch as a wall surface, a floor surface or a human body in a room in astate that the indoor unit Z₁ is installed on the ceiling 50, andoutputs the detected temperature as detected information relating to acurrent indoor temperature to the control section 18. As shown in FIGS.1 and 2, the infrared sensor 15 is arranged on one of four comers on theouter periphery of the indoor panel 2, namely, one of four inter-openingportions between the air outlets 4, 4. In the present embodiment, theinfrared sensor 15 is mounted thereto via a scanning mechanism 20, andthis single infrared sensor 15 detects the temperatures of objects inthe entire area of a room. Here, the scanning mechanism 20 oscillatesthe infrared sensor 15 in a reciprocating manner using a first motor 21having a horizontal shaft and revolves it using a second motor 22 havinga vertical shaft. The infrared sensor 15 is supported to the casing 1 ina state that it is inserted into a sensor mounting hole 19 provide onthe indoor panel 2.

[0070] Here, preferable examples of the infrared sensor 15 are a singleelement type sensor for integrally detecting an entire area of adetecting object range, a one-dimensional array element type sensor fordividing the detecting object range in one direction so as to detect therespective divided areas, and a two-dimensional array element typesensor for dividing the detecting object range in two directionsintersecting perpendicularly to each other so as to detect therespective divided areas.

[0071] The detected information relating to the object temperaturedetected by the infrared sensor 15 is input into the control section 18and is used as a control factor of the airflow changing unit 52 by meanof the control section 18.

[0072] As mentioned above, the control section 18 exercises control ofthe air capacity distributing mechanism 10, the first flaps 12 and thesecond flap 13 correlatively based on the detected information detectedby the infrared sensor 15. Moreover, the control section 18simultaneously exercises this control and control of an air conditioningability and a temperature so as to optimize air conditioning, therebyimproving comfortability or energy saving characteristics of the airconditioning. For example, the characteristics of the blowout airflowblown out from the air outlets 4, 4, . . . of the indoor unit Z₁ are notalways set equally between the air outlets 4 but are adjusted accordingto indoor temperature distribution (heat load distribution) and peopledistribution. For example, at cooling time, the air capacity iscontrolled so that the blowout air capacity is increased in an area withhigh temperature or in an area with a lot of people, whereas the blowoutair capacity is decreased in an area with low temperature or in an areawith no people. Moreover, the direction of the blowout airflow iscontrolled in the area with people so as to avoid direct blowing of theblowout airflow to the people, thereby controlling a wind direction orthe like so as to reduce a sense of drafting.

[0073] Here, the operation and the function of the indoor unit Z₁ willbe explained below. It is an object of the indoor unit Z₁ of the presentembodiment to realize the optimization of air condition as explainedabove and heighten its comfortability or energy saving characteristics,and in order to achieve this object, it is important to securesufficient accuracy in control of the airflow changing unit 52 or thelike by means of the control section 18. Accordingly, it is important toheighten detecting accuracy of the infrared sensor 15 which is a basefor controlling the control section 18 and secure reliability of thedetected information. A device obtained by concretizing a technicalconcept based on this viewpoint for each component of the indoor unit isthe indoor unit Z₁ of this embodiment. Therefore, in the indoor unit Z₁of this embodiment, the respective components fulfill theirpredetermined functions based on their peculiar structures, so that theimprovement in the comfortability or energy saving characteristics whichis an ultimate problem can be realized by optimizing the airconditioning. This will be explained below concretely.

[0074] In the indoor unit Z₁ of this embodiment, air-conditioning airwhich has passed through the heat exchanger 5 so as to be heat-exchangedis blown out from the air outlets 4 into a room. At this time, when theblowout airflow flows through the blowout passage 14, its air capacityis adjusted by the air capacity distributing mechanism 10 at each of theair outlets 4, 4, . . . . Namely, the blowout air capacity isdistributed between the air outlets 4, 4, . . . . In addition, theblowout direction adjusting function in the lateral direction by meansof the first flap 12 and the blowout direction adjusting function in thelongitudinal direction by means of the second flap 13 are carried outsimultaneously. Moreover, another control such as the air conditioningability control and the temperature control is exercised at the sametime. The optimization of the air conditioning is realized as theirmultiplier effect.

[0075] Here, as explained above, the optimization of the airconditioning is realized by inputting the accurate detected informationfrom the infrared sensor 15 into the control section 18. In the indoorunit Z₁ of this embodiment, the infrared sensor 15 adopts the followingstructure so that the accurate detected information can be obtained.

[0076] Firstly, in this embodiment, the infrared sensor 15 is arrangedon the inter-opening portion of the air outlets 4, 4, . . . on theindoor panel 2, namely, an indoor exposed portion. With this structure,a visual field of the infrared sensor 15 is sufficiently secured, and asa result, the object temperature can be detected with high accuracy bythe infrared sensor 15.

[0077] Secondly, since the infrared sensor 15 is arranged on theinter-opening portion of the air outlets 4, 4, . . . on the indoor panel2, the infrared sensor 15 is not exposed directly to a suction airflowfrom the air inlet 3 and the blowout airflow from the air outlet 4. As aresult, for example, unlike a case where the infrared sensor 15 isarranged on a side of the air inlet 3, there does not arise a problemthat dust or the like in the suction airflow adheres to the infraredsensor 15 and its detecting ability is inhibited. Moreover, unlike acase where the infrared sensor 15 is arranged at the air outlet 4, aproblem such that the infrared sensor 15 is exposed to a cool blowoutairflow and moisture adheres to its surface so that the detectingability is inhibited is prevented securely from arising. For thisreason, the high level detecting ability is maintained for a long time.

[0078] Thirdly, the infrared sensor 15 is structured so as to be capableof scanning detection using the scanning mechanism 20. When the scanningmechanism 20 is controlled, the indoor temperature distribution andpeople distribution can be detected accurately by the infrared sensor15. Moreover, since the one infrared sensor 15 detects the objecttemperature, the detected information is easily processed and itsreliability is improved.

[0079] As their multiplier effect, the detected information with highaccuracy and reliability by the infrared sensor 15 is captured into thecontrol section 18, so that the comfortability and energy savingcharacteristics of the air conditioning by means of the indoor unit Z₁can be further improved.

[0080] On the other hand, the comfortability and the energy savingcharacteristics of the air conditioning are improved also by thecharacteristic structure on the airflow changing unit 52.

[0081] Namely, firstly in this embodiment, since the air capacitydistributing mechanism 10, the first flaps 12 and the second flap 13 canbe operated individually and independently between the air outlets 4, 4,. . . , the characteristics of the blowout airflow at each of the airoutlets 4, 4, . . . can be controlled more finely according to theindoor temperature distribution and people distribution.

[0082] On the contrary, the structure may be such that the air capacitydistributing 20 mechanisms 10 and the first flaps 12 can be operatedindependently and individually at the air outlets 4, 4, . . . , whereasthe second flaps 13 are operated in an interlocking manner at the airoutlets 4, 4, . . . . In this case, the air capacity distributingmechanism 10 and the first flaps 12 can finely control thecharacteristics of the blowout airflow at each of the air outlets 4, 4,. . . .

[0083] Secondary, in this embodiment, the air capacity distributingmechanism 10 is composed of the paired distributing shutters 11, 11, andwhen the opening area of the blowout passage 14 is enlarged, thedistributing shutters 11 are positioned on the long sides of the blowoutpassage 14, and the opening area is reduced, they are positioned on theupper stream side of the blowout passage 14. At the time of theoperation for enlarging the opening area of the blowout passage 14,namely, when the blowout airflow increases, since the distributingshutters 11, 11 are positioned on the portions of the blowout passage 14with slow flow rate, ventilating resistance due to the distributingshutters 11, 11 is reduced, thereby ensuring the securing of the blowoutairflow and reducing a blast sound.

[0084] As their multiplier effect, the blowout airflow characteristicsare improved, and the comfortability and energy saving characteristicsof the air conditioning are improved by the indoor unit Z₁.

[0085] Further, there are following circumstantial effects.

[0086] Firstly in this embodiment, the air capacity distributingmechanism 10 and the first flap 12 are arranged on the upper streamportion of the blowout passage 14 which is continued with the air outlet4, and a driving mechanism 29 of the air capacity distributing mechanism10 and a driving mechanism 30 of the first flap 12 are arranged on bothends in the direction of the long sides of the blowout passage 14,respectively. With such a structure, the air capacity distributingmechanism 10 and the first flaps 12 and their driving mechanisms 29 and30 can be arranged compactly at the blowout passage 14 with spacialrestriction, and as a result, the indoor panel 2 can be thinned andminiaturized.

[0087] Secondly in this embodiment, the paired distributing shutters 11,11 are structured so as to be positioned on the upper stream side of theblowout passage 14 when the opening area of the blowout passage 14 isreduced (namely, the blowout airflow is reduced). With such a structure,disorder of airflow can be suppressed as much as possible at the airoutlet 4 positioned on a lower stream end of the blowout passage 14, sothat moisture in the vicinity of air outlet 4 is prevented and dirt ofthe ceiling surface due to bump of disordered blowout airflow isprevented.

[0088] Thirdly in this embodiment, since the infrared sensor 15 isarranged on the indoor exposed portion of the indoor panel 2, at thetime of a maintenance work of the infrared sensor 15,attachment/detachment of a suction grill is not necessary unlike, forexample, the case where the infrared sensor 15 is arranged inside thesuction grill (namely, a portion which is not exposed to the room). Forthis reason, a check or the attachment/detachment work of the infraredsensor 15 can be carried out easily, and thus high maintenancecharacteristics are realized.

[0089] Fourthly in this embodiment, since the second flaps 13 areoperated in the interlocking manner at the air outlets 4, 4, . . . , thesecond flaps 13, 13, . . . can be driven by a single driving source. Anumber of the driving sources to be installed is reduced in comparisonwith the case where the second flaps 13, 13, . . . are driven byindividual driving sources, thereby lowering the cost and simplifyingthe structure.

[0090] Embodiment 2

[0091]FIGS. 9 and 10 show an indoor unit Z₂ of the separate type airconditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention.The indoor unit Z₂ has the same basic structure as that of the indoorunit Z₁ according to the first embodiment. A different point is only thestructure of the infrared sensor 15. Therefore, there will be detailedbelow only the structure of the infrared sensor 15 and its functionswhich are peculiar to this embodiment, and explanation of the otherstructures and functions will be omitted. In FIGS. 9 and 10, thecomponents corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designatedby like numbers.

[0092] In the indoor unit Z₂ of this embodiment, when the infraredsensor 15 is installed onto the indoor panel 2, the three infraredsensors 15 are arranged on the peripheral edge portion of each airoutlet 4 closer to the air inlet 3 and the direction of the long side ofeach air outlet 4 with predetermined gaps. Moreover, the infraredsensors 15, 15, . . . are fixed directly to the peripheral edge portion.Detecting object ranges of the infrared sensors 15, 15, . . . providedcorrespondingly to the air outlets 4, 4, . . . are limited to constantranges in the blowout directions of the air outlet 4, 4, . . . .Moreover, the detecting object range of the three infrared sensors 15,15, . . . arranged along the long side of the air outlet 4 is alsolimited to a constant range. Therefore, in this embodiment, the infraredsensors 15 are non-scanning type infrared sensors which detect therespective constant ranges.

[0093] Namely, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the indoor space,namely, the detecting object range is divided virtually into four largeareas A1 through A4 corresponding to the air outlets 4 with the indoorunit Z₂ being centered in a plan view.

[0094] Further, each of the large areas A1 through A4 is dividedvirtually into three small areas SA, SB and SC for each three infraredsensors 15 in which the large areas are the detecting object range. Thedetecting object rage of each infrared sensor 15 is one of the smallareas SA, SB and SC. With this setting, when the detected information ofthe infrared sensors 15, 15, . . . is input into the control section 18,a specification can be easily made as to which small area in which largearea the detected information is about.

[0095] In this embodiment, since the infrared sensors 15, 15, . . . arearranged on the surface of the indoor panel 2, namely, the indoorexposed portion, the visual fields of the infrared sensors 15 aresecured sufficiently, so that the object temperature is detected withhigh accuracy. As a result, the control accuracy for the airflowchanging unit 52 by means of the control section 18 based on thedetected information is improved, and thus the comfortability and energysaving characteristics of the air conditioning is improved.

[0096] Moreover, at the time of the maintenance work of the infraredsensors 15, 15, . . . , the attachment/detachment of the suction grillis not necessary unlike the case where, for example, the infraredsensors 15, 15, . . . are arranged inside the suction grill (namely, theportion which is not exposed to the room), thereby easily carrying outthe check or the attachment/detachment work of the infrared sensors 15,15, . . . and realizing the high maintenance characteristics.

[0097] In addition, the three infrared sensors 15, 15, . . . arearranged at each of the air outlets 4, 4, . . . , and the detectingobject ranges of the infrared sensors 15, 15, . . . are specifiedindividually, thereby obtaining the following effect.

[0098] Namely, a corresponding relationship between the detectedinformation of the infrared sensors 15, 15, . . . and the indoordetecting object area is clarified, and the operational control of theairflow changing unit 52 of the air capacity distributing mechanism 10based on the detected information of the infrared sensors 15, 15, . . .becomes easy.

[0099] In addition, in this embodiment, since the plural infraredsensors 15 are provided correspondingly to the air outlets 4, 4, . . .and their detecting object ranges are set fixedly, the temperaturedistribution and the people distribution in the entire indoor area canbe always detected by the infrared sensors 15, 15, . . . simultaneously.As a result, the operational control of the air capacity distributingmechanism 10 or the like based on the detected information becomes moreaccurate, and thus the comfortability and the energy savingcharacteristics can be anticipated to be improved.

[0100] Embodiment 3

[0101]FIGS. 11 and 12 show an indoor unit Z₃ of the separate type airconditioner according to the third embodiment of the present invention.The indoor unit Z₃ is based on the structure of the indoor unit Z₂according to the second embodiment, and a temperature/humidity sensor16, mentioned later, is additionally provided. Therefore, there will bedetailed below only a structure peculiar to this embodiment, namely, astructure of the temperature/humidity sensor 16 and a correlationbetween the temperature/humidity sensor 16 and the infrared sensor 15,and explanation of the other structures and functions will be omitted.In FIGS. 11 and 12, components corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 1and 2 of the first embodiment and those shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 of thesecond embodiment are designated by like numbers.

[0102] In the indoor unit Z₃ of this embodiment, the infrared sensor 15is arranged corresponding to each o the air outlets 4,4, . . . on theperipheral edge portions of each of the air outlets 4, 4, . . . closerto the air inlet 3 on the indoor panel 2 in the direction of the longsides of the air outlets 4 with predetermined gaps. Additionally, thetemperature/humidity sensor 16 (in another embodiment, a temperaturesensor may be provided instead of the temperature/humidity sensor 16) isarranged on the outer peripheral portion of the air inlet 3corresponding to each of the air outlets 4, 4, . . . in the direction ofthe long sides of each of the air outlets 4 with predetermined gaps(concretely, with the gaps corresponding to the infrared sensors 15, 15,. . . ). Therefore, the infrared sensors 15, 15, . . . and thetemperature/humidity sensors 16, 16, . . . corresponding to them havethe same detecting object ranges (namely, the small areas SA through SCin the large areas A1 through A4).

[0103] The temperature/humidity sensor 16 detects temperature andhumidity of the suction airflow sucked from the area corresponding tothis temperature/humidity sensor 16 to the air inlet 3, and outputs thedetected temperature and humidity as the detected information to thecontrol section 18. Thereafter, the detected information from thetemperature/humidity sensor 16 is compared with the detected informationof the infrared sensor 15 (namely, information about the indoor objecttemperature) in the control section 18, so as to be utilized as acorrecting standard of the detected information of the infrared sensor15.

[0104] Namely, the infrared sensor 15 originally detects a radiationtemperature of an object such as a wall surface, a floor surface orpeople in the room as the object temperature, and the detectedinformation of the infrared sensor 15 is utilized as a standard forcontrol of the air capacity distributing mechanism 10 or the like of theairflow changing unit 52 in the control section 18. However, in theroom, for example, a window glass portion or a heater portion is ahigher radiation portion than the other portions, and a metal surface orthe like is a low radiation portion. For this reason, when the objecttemperature is simply detected by the infrared sensor 15, if thedetecting object range has the high radiation portion or the lowradiation portion, a temperature having a transnormal value which isdeviated from the actual indoor heat load distribution or the like isdetected. Therefore, when this is used as the control standard in thecontrol section 18, for example, over-airflow is blown onto a particularportion in the room and this portion becomes “too cool” or “too warm”,and thus there is a possibility that the comfortability is inhibitedextremely.

[0105] Meanwhile, it is experientially known that a suction temperatureof indoor air and a radiation temperature of a suction source areanormally have a close value. For example, when the suction temperatureis 25° C., the radiation temperature becomes about 23 to 27° C.Therefore, the radiation temperature of the object can be anticipatedbased on the air suction temperature.

[0106] Therefore, in the case where the object temperature (radiationtemperature) detected by the infrared sensor 15 shows a transnormalvalue which is greatly deviated from the radiation temperatureanticipated from the suction temperature, the detected temperature ofthe infrared sensor 15 is corrected based on the anticipated radiationtemperature.

[0107] The detected temperature can be corrected by using variousmethods. For example, in a simple method, an area average radiationtemperature (detected temperature after correction) T_(S) can beobtained by adding a predetermined temperature offset T_(OFS) to ananticipated radiation temperature T_(P) (this anticipated radiationtemperature T_(P) is normally equal with the suction temperature. Here,anticipated radiation temperature T_(P)=suction temperature). Namely,the detected temperature can be corrected according to the followingformula:

T _(S) =T _(P) +T _(OFS)

[0108] In addition, another correcting method is such that a thresholdtemperature T_(th), mentioned later, is used so as to correct theradiation temperature. This correcting method is particularly effectiveto the case or the like where the detected temperature of the infraredsensor 15 is greatly deviated from the suction temperature. For exampleas shown in FIG. 13, at steps S1, S2 and S3, after the radiationtemperature is detected by the infrared sensor 15, the average radiationtemperature per area is calculated and the suction temperature per areais measured, a judgment is made at step S4 whether an absolute value ofa temperature difference between the average radiation temperature andthe suction temperature is larger than a predetermined value ΔT₁. Whenthe absolute value is larger than the predetermined value ΔT₁, thefollowing correction is carried out.

[0109] Incidentally, a window or the like is a surface portion with muchoutflux and influx of a heat to/from outside. In the case where thevisual field of the infrared sensor 15 includes such a surface portion,or in the case where the detected temperature of the infrared sensor 15is deviated from the suction temperature to a higher temperature side,it is considered that an air temperature in the vicinity of the surfaceportion is a temperature between the suction temperature and thedetected temperature. Therefore, after a predetermined threshold valueis initially set at step S5, when the absolute value of the differencebetween the suction temperature and the detected temperature is largerthan the threshold value T_(th), a temperature difference, which isobtained by multiplying the difference between the threshold value andthe detected temperature and a coefficient η(η=about 0.3 to 0.7 and itis obtained experientially or experimentally) in which an averagetemperature distribution and radiation temperature are taken intoconsideration, is given as an offset (see step S6). Namely:

T _(OFS)=η(T _(th) −T _(s))

[0110] The average radiation temperature is again calculated from acorrected radiation temperature Ts′ obtained in such a manner (see stepS7). Next, a judgment is made whether an absolute value of a differencebetween the average radiation temperature and the suction temperature issmaller than a predetermined value ε (see step S8). When the absolutevalue is smaller than the predetermined value ε, the correction iscompleted, and when not smaller, the threshold value is updated at stepS9, so that steps S6 through S8 are repeated.

[0111] Here, the initial value of the threshold value at step S5 may begiven suitably. As for steps S6 through S9, while the threshold value isbeing updated by dichotomy, the repeated process may be executed untilthe difference between the average radiation temperature and the suctiontemperature becomes sufficiently small.

[0112] The radiation temperature of a low radiant surface such as metalhas less intraday fluctuation and deviation of such a kind of radiationtemperature is a steady-state deviation to a low temperature side. Sucha radiation temperature is considered to actually show an averagetemperature. For this reason, in such a case, a temperature of theradiation temperature area not more than the threshold value T_(th) isreplaced by the suction temperature, and the threshold value isconverged repeatedly from the initial value similarly to the above, sothat a properly corrected radiation temperature can be obtained.

[0113] In addition, in an optical measuring method, as the sensor isused for a longer time, drift (deviation of a detected value) due todirt or the like of the sensor occurs. However, from the viewpoint ofmaking stable control for a long time, it is desirable that thelong-time drift due to dirt or the like is compensated. Therefore, in asituation that a difference between respective radiation temperatures issmall and a judgment is made that an influence of a transnormalradiation area is less, a slight difference between the suctiontemperature and the average radiation temperature is used as drift sothat the detected value of the infrared sensor may be corrected. Forexample, in the case where the absolute value of the difference betweenthe average radiation temperature and the suction temperature is smallerthan a predetermined value ΔT₂ (see step S10) and the absolute value ofthe difference between the average radiation temperature and eachradiation temperature is smaller than a predetermined value ΔT₃ (seestep S11), T_(OFS)=suction temperature−average radiation temperature(step S12).

[0114] In such a manner, an error of the detected temperature due to atransnormal radiation section is corrected and the corrected temperatureis used as the control standard of the airflow changing unit 52 in thecontrol section 18.

[0115] Here, the anticipation of the radiation temperature of an objectand the correction of the detected temperature are carried out by thecontrol section 18. Therefore, “the correcting unit” of the presentinvention is composed of the control section 18.

[0116] As mentioned above, in the indoor unit Z₃ of this embodiment, inthe case where the detected information of the infrared sensor 15 istransnormal, the detected information is corrected by the anticipatedradiation temperature based on the suction temperature detected by thetemperature/humidity sensor 16, so that an error from an actual value iscorrected. As a result, the airflow changing unit 52 is controlled to besuitably operated according to the actual indoor heat load distributionor the like, and thereby improving the comfortability or the energysaving characteristics of the air conditioning by means of the indoorunit Z₃.

[0117] In the indoor unit Z₃ of this embodiment, the infrared sensor 15is of a fixed type without a scanning function, and a plurality of theinfrared sensors 15 are provided correspondingly to the air outlets 4,4, . . . , respectively. However, in another embodiment, for example,the single or plural infrared sensor(s) 15 is(are) arranged and can bestructured so as to have the scanning function by means of the scanningmechanism 20.

[0118] In the case where the infrared sensors 15 particularly havingsuch an arrangement are combined with the temperature/humidity sensors16, 16, . . . , a useless operation of the scanning mechanism 20 isprevented based on the detected information of the temperature/humiditysensors 16, 16, . . . , so that durability of the scanning mechanism 20can be improved and thus the energy saving characteristics of the indoorunit Z₃ can be also improved. Namely, as for the temperature/humiditysensors 16, 16, . . . , since specified areas are the detecting objectranges as mentioned above, for example, in the case where all or most ofthe temperature/humidity sensors 16 (for example, a not less thanpredetermined proportion of the temperature/humidity sensors) detectthat the radiation temperature of the object is high, namely, adetection is made that the heat load is not less than a predeterminedload in the entire or most indoor area, there is less necessity anymoreto scan the infrared sensor 15 so as to detect the indoor objecttemperature. Therefore, in this case, the operation of the scanningmechanism 20 is stopped. When the operation of the scanning mechanism 20is stopped in such a manner, for example, in comparison with the casewhere the scanning mechanism 20 is operated continuously during theoperation of the air conditioner, operating time of the scanningmechanism 20 is reduced further, thereby suppressing wear of a drivingsection. Therefore, the durability of the scanning mechanism 20 isimproved, thereby contributing to reduction in operating cost of the airconditioner.

[0119] Here, the judgment as to whether the heat load is not less thanthe predetermined load in the entire or most indoor area is made by thecontrol section 18. The stopping control of the scanning mechanism 20 isalso executed by the control section 18. Therefore, “a judging unit” and“a stopping unit” of the present invention are structured by the controlsection 18.

[0120] In addition, in this embodiment, the temperature/humidity sensor16 is mounted to the suction grill 8 on the upper stream side above thefilter on the outer periphery portion of the air inlet 3, but in anotherembodiment, as designated by 16′ in FIG. 12, the temperature/humiditysensor can be mounted to the bellmouth 7 section.

[0121] Embodiment 4

[0122]FIGS. 14 and 15 show an indoor unit Z₄ of the separate type airconditioner according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.This indoor unit Z₄ is based on the structure of the indoor unit Z₁ ofthe first embodiment, and the arrangement structure of thetemperature/humidity sensor 16 in the third embodiment is appliedthereto. Therefore, there will be detailed below only a peculiarstructure of this embodiment, namely, the structure of thetemperature/humidity sensor 16 and a correlation between thetemperature/humidity sensor 16 and the infrared sensor 15, butexplanation of the other structures and functions will be omitted. InFIGS. 14 and 15, the components corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 1and 2 of the first embodiment and shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 of the thirdembodiment are designated by like numbers.

[0123] In the indoor unit Z₄ of this embodiment, the infrared sensor 15is arranged on the inter-opening portion of the two adjacent air outlets4, 4 at the comer of the indoor panel 2 via the scanning mechanism 20.Meanwhile, the three temperature/humidity sensors 16 are arranged on theair inlet 3 side on the indoor panel 2 correspondingly to each of theoutlets 4, 4, . . . in the direction of each long side of the airoutlets 4 with predetermined gaps.

[0124] The indoor unit Z₄ of this embodiment is different from the firstand third embodiments in that an object to be detected by the infraredsensor 15 and an object to be detected by the temperature/humiditysensor 16 are independent. Namely, in the first embodiment, both aposition of a person in the room and indoor temperature distribution aredetected by the infrared sensor 15. In the third embodiment, thetemperature/humidity sensor 16 is utilized to correct the detected valueof the infrared sensor 15. On the contrary, in the fourth embodiment,the infrared sensor 15 is used only for detecting the position of aperson in the room, and the temperature/humidity sensor 16 is used fordetecting the indoor temperature distribution. In this embodiment, acontrol relationship between the infrared sensor 15 and thetemperature/humidity sensor 16 is cut.

[0125] With such a structure, since the infrared sensor 15 may detectonly a position of a person, in comparison with, for example, the casewhere both the position of a person and the indoor temperaturedistribution are detected, a process on the detected information bymeans of the infrared sensor 15 becomes easy, thereby simplifying acontrol system. At the same time, as to the detection of the indoortemperature distribution, required accuracy can be obtained by thetemperature/humidity sensor 16 which is more inexpensive than theinfrared sensor 15, and as their multiplier effect, the securing of theaccuracy in the detected information is compossible with lowering of thecost.

[0126] Industrial Applicability

[0127] As mentioned above, the present invention is useful to the indoorunit of a room air conditioner, a package air conditioner, and the like.

1. An air conditioner comprising: a casing (1) embedded or suspendedin/from a ceiling (50); an indoor panel (2) provided on a lower side ofsaid casing (1), said indoor panel (2) being provided with an air inlet(3) and a plurality of air outlets (4), said air outlets (4) surroundinga rectangular periphery of said air inlet (3) and each having arectangular shape, said indoor panel (2) being installed in an indoorexposed state; an infrared sensor (15) provided on an exposed portion ofsaid indoor panel (2); an airflow changing unit (52) for changingcharacteristics of an airflow blown out from each or said air outlet(4); and a control unit (53) for controlling said airflow changing unit(52) based on output information from said infrared sensor (15).
 2. Theair conditioner according to claim 1, wherein said infrared sensor (15)is provided between said air outlets (4, 4).
 3. The air conditioneraccording to claim 1, wherein said infrared sensor (15) is provided on aperipheral edge of said air outlet (4).
 4. The air conditioner accordingto claim 1, further comprising a scanning mechanism (20) for scanningsaid infrared sensor (15).
 5. The air conditioner according to claim 1,wherein: a plurality of said infrared sensors (15) are providedcorrespondingly to said air outlets (4, 4, . . . ), said infraredsensors (15) are non-scanning type infrared sensors for detecting theirrespective constant ranges as an object to be detected.
 6. The airconditioner according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of temperaturesensors or temperature/humidity sensors (16) are provided in vicinitiesof said air outlets (4) in an inside portion of said air inlet (3) onthe indoor panel (12) or in an inside portion of said air inlet (3) insaid casing (1).
 7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, furthercomprising: a scanning mechanism (20) for scanning said infrared sensor(15); a judging unit (18) for calculating a heat load based on outputinformation from said temperature sensors or temperature/humiditysensors (16) and judging whether the heat load is not less than apredetermined load for each of said temperature sensors ortemperature/humidity sensors (16); and a stopping unit (18) for, whenthe judgment is made that the heat load is not less than thepredetermined load in a not less than predetermined proportion of saidtemperature sensors or temperature/humidity sensors (16), stopping anoperation of said scanning mechanism (20).
 8. The air conditioneraccording to claim 6, further comprising a correcting unit (18) foranticipating an object temperature in a blowout direction of an airflowfrom said air outlets (4) based on the output information from saidtemperature sensors or temperature/humidity sensors (16) and correctinga detected temperature of said infrared sensor (15) based on theanticipated object temperature.
 9. The air conditioner according toclaim 6, wherein said infrared sensor (15) detects a position of aperson in a room and said temperature sensors or temperature/humiditysensors (16) detect a temperature of a sucked air from the room.
 10. Theair conditioner according to claim 1, wherein said airflow changingunits (52) includes: an air capacity distributing mechanism (10) forchanging a distributing ratio of a blowout air capacity between said airoutlets (4, 4, . . . ); first flaps (12) for changing a blowoutdirection of an airflow in a direction of a long side of each of saidoutlets (4); a second flap (13) for changing a blowout direction of anairflow in a direction of a short side of said each air outlet (4); anddriving mechanisms (29, 30, 31) for driving said air capacitydistributing mechanism (10), said first flaps (12) and said second flap(13) independently at said each air outlet (4).
 11. The air conditioneraccording to claim 1, wherein said airflow changing unit (52) includes:an air capacity distributing mechanism (10) for changing a distributingratio of a blowout air capacity between said air outlets (4, 4, . . . );first flaps (12) for changing a blowout direction of an airflow in adirection of a long side of said each air outlet (4); a second flap (13)for changing a blowout direction of an airflow in a direction of a shortside of said each air outlet (4); driving mechanisms (29, 30) fordriving said air capacity distributing mechanism (10) and said firstflaps (12) independently at said each air outlet (4); and a drivingmechanism (31) for driving said second flaps (13, 13, . . . ) of saidair outlets (4, 4, . . . ) in an interlocking manner.
 12. The airconditioner according to claim 1, wherein: a plurality of blowoutpassages (14) each continued to said each air outlet (4) are provided insaid casing (1), said airflow changing unit (52) includes: an aircapacity distributing mechanism (10) provided on said each blowoutpassage (14) for changing a distributing ratio of a blowout air capacitybetween said air outlets (4, 4, . . . ); first flaps (12) provided onsaid each blowout passage (14) for changing a blowout direction of anairflow in a direction of a long side of said each air outlet (4); adriving mechanism (29) provided on one end of the direction of the longside of said each air outlet (4) in said each blowout passage (14), saiddriving mechanism (29) for driving said each air capacity distributingmechanism (10); and a driving mechanism (30) provided on the other endof the direction of the long side of said each air outlet (4) in saidblowout passage (14), said driving mechanism (30) for driving said eachfirst flap (12).
 13. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein:a plurality of blowout passages (14) each continued to said each airoutlet (4) are provided in said casing (1), said airflow changing unit(52) is provided in said each blowout passage (14), and has an aircapacity distributing mechanism (10) for increasing/decreasing anopening area of said each blowout passage (14) so as to change adistributing ratio of a blowout air capacity between said air outlets(4, 4, . . . ), said air capacity distributing mechanism (10) includes:a pair of shutters (11, 11) provided on both sides of a direction of ashort side of said each air outlet (4) in said each blowout passage(14), said shutters (11, 11) being freely tilted simultaneously with amovement to an upper stream side of an airflow direction of said blowoutpassage (14); and a driving mechanism (29) for moving said shutters (11,11) to both ends of said blowout passage (14) at the time of anoperation for enlarging the opening area of said blowout passage (14),and moving said shutters (11, 11) to the upper stream side of saidblowout passage (14) at the time of an operation for reducing theopening area of said blowout passage (14).